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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 11: Become My Disciple (1)
An awkward silence filled the room. It was Kim Do-jin who broke it, as if he knew exactly what was on my mind.
"There's no need to make that face. Even if you've gone back in time, you don’t remember it, do you?"
Even with fatal rebirth, the person doesn’t realize they're a regressor. Awareness only comes after being killed by Nyarlathotep and becoming a spirit.
"I have a question."
"Hm?"
"How did you grow so strong without knowing you were a regressor?"
Not knowing he was a regressor meant there was no advantage in his return. Yet Kim Do-jin always climbed to the 9th star. Was he just a natural genius?
His response was surprising.
"Even if memory doesn’t exist, the body remembers."
Even without memories, Kim Do-jin’s growth was quicker than others'. Each swing of his sword felt as if he’d swung it a hundred times. He learned new things with a familiarity that was almost instinctive. What he thought was the first time... wasn’t truly the first.
Still, it didn't quite explain how he rose to the rank of a demigod.
"It’s like déjà vu, I suppose."
"I would feel that way, having lost my memories. ...But here’s the main point, Su-Hyuk."
Half-floating in the air, Kim Do-jin descended. Despite being a 9-star, he looked no different from a middle-aged man you’d see at a local park, though his large build made the small one-room apartment feel even smaller the moment he sat down.
It wasn’t just the room that seemed cramped; the entire space felt overwhelmed by his presence.
Even though he was just a spirit, his aura was palpable, making me realize again how remarkable he was.
Feeling the need to sit respectfully, I straightened up and lifted my head to look at him.
"Your regression has now come to an end."
Swallowing, I nodded. I understood, but hearing it from someone else made it feel real.
It was like waking from a long dream. Funny how human nature works.
During the cycles of regression, I’d prayed desperately for it to end, but now that it was truly over, I found myself strangely nostalgic.
"What will you do now?"
"Survive."
"If you die this time, it truly ends."
Kim Do-jin’s firm tone made it clear—my life would no longer be a hamster wheel.
No more chances to try again. But I could still move forward, couldn’t I?
Fortunately, my time in the hospital gave me space to think. In that month, I’d thought more deeply than I had during the entire regression.
I clenched my fists, steeling myself. I hadn’t expected to share this with anyone, but—
"I'm going to go on. I have things to do."
I don’t know what lies ahead on the path, but I will move forward.
In a way, it’s amusing. Humans only have one life. Everyone lives that way. If they can do it, there’s no reason I can’t.
"What is it you have to do?"
"Become strong and cure Min-Ah’s illness."
Min-Ah’s illness isn’t a simple one. Even Cha Woo-jae couldn’t cure it, so there must be more to it.
Before my regression, Min-Ah was just someone I felt obligated to care for. Though I hid it, I often resented her.
If only you weren’t here. Why did I make that promise to take care of you? If I were alone, wouldn’t my life be better?
I’m only human, so I had such dark thoughts. But in the end, my life was saved because of Min-Ah.
She was the one who gave me a reason to live when I had lost all desire after endless cycles of regression.
[It won’t be easy.]
“It won’t,” I replied simply.
I didn’t elaborate. I assumed that Cha Woo-jae had help from Kim Do-jin in the process of saving his younger brother. Kim Do-jin would certainly know about mana immunity rejection.
“So, please help me, sir.”
There was no need for more words. I’d declared I would survive, but I wasn’t entirely confident that I could.
Perhaps not expecting me to bow my head so readily, Kim Do-jin awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
[Ahem, I was actually going to ask you for a favor, but here we are—it’s a bit embarrassing, isn’t it?]
“…What?”
[Did you think I appeared before you for no reason? Only you can see me.]
The clock that distorts causality—Kim Do-jin was its original owner. Even so, I didn’t fully understand how he appeared in front of me.
Whatever the case, Kim Do-jin came with the intent to sever my regression and show himself, intending to ask for something in return.
[You want to save your sister? That won’t be easy.]
“I know.”
[I’ll help you. But become my disciple.]
Just as I hadn’t shared my entire story, Kim Do-jin’s words were also straightforward.
At the same time, my heart raced. Become his disciple—those were words I’d longed to hear, even though the person before me was just a spirit.
I’d first come to know him when I vowed to save him and escape this cycle of regression. In that brief time, I’d learned more from him than all the future knowledge I’d shared with him.
‘I’m envious.’
If I could become his true disciple instead of a mere shadow… or if I’d met Kim Do-jin before the cycles of regression started, would my life have been better? Was it too much to hope for a stroke of luck?
“Can someone like me even be your disciple? All your students are geniuses.”
[Geniuses, my foot. You don’t get it, do you?]
Kim Do-jin scoffed. Couldn’t it be because he’s just that impressive? After all, his current disciples were all formidable in their own rights, each excelling in their respective fields.
[And you have talent, too.]
“Me?”
[Don’t you think so?]
“I… I’m not sure.”
I couldn’t even grasp what talent truly meant.
[You have resilience. Those who have it succeed. Even if I hadn’t helped, even without getting trapped in endless regression, you would have made it.]
“…”
[Listen to the elders, kid. Haha, I’ve dealt with more than a few young ones in my time.]
“Flatter me all you want; it won’t get you anything. But really, can I be your disciple?”
[Have you been fooled that much?]
“It’s just… hard to believe.”
To be honest, this felt less real than the end of my regression. How could anyone expect that Kim Do-jin would appear as a spirit before me and offer to be my master?
It would be easier to calculate the odds of a meteorite hitting Seoul. Having a 9-star awakener offer to stick by and help was, honestly, an unbelievable stroke of luck.
With Kim Do-jin by my side, I’d also have access to a wealth of information. Aside from skill, information is the most crucial thing for survival.
Sometimes, life and death hinge on it.
[However, I have a favor to ask.]
“A favor?”
I was curious about the condition tied to becoming Kim Do-jin’s disciple.
[I already have seven disciples.]
“I know.”
It would be strange to know Kim Do-jin yet be unaware of his seven disciples. One of the reasons Kim Do-jin was held in such high regard was because of his disciples. As I mentioned earlier, all of Kim Do-jin’s disciples were prodigies.
Kim Do-jin had never failed in training a disciple. It was practically a guarantee that anyone who became his disciple would rise to prominence.
Even though I couldn’t say it aloud, if Kim Do-jin told me to bark, I probably would. Is there anything I wouldn’t do?
The seven disciples of Kim Do-jin:
The Demon Face of Heavenly Tribulations
Heavenly Sword Saint, Han Jin-woo
The Secret Princess, Jung Se-rim
Infinite Sword Master, Lee Ho-hyuk
Absolute Shield, Cha Woo-jae
Twilight Minstrel, Loki Wendel
Heavenly Knight, Sung Jae-ho
Each of them had an alias, in addition to being known as Kim Do-jin’s disciple.
I looked upon Kim Do-jin and his disciples with both reverence and envy. So, the words that came next were shocking.
[There’s a traitor among my disciples.]
“You’re joking, right?”
[…]
Kim Do-jin remained silent. His expression made it clear that he wasn’t joking.
[I don’t want to believe it either.]
It was clear he had reached this conclusion after much deliberation. A traitor among his disciples?
A disturbing thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“Don’t tell me the condition for accepting me as your disciple is… that I have to kill your disciples?”
[Could you even do it?]
“Well, no.”
Not now, and likely not ever, would I be able to kill all seven of them. While each individual might be weaker than Kim Do-jin, if even two or three of them teamed up, they’d have enough power to rival him.
Besides, the disciples all knew each other. Even a legendary assassin couldn’t pull that off.
“Then, your request is…”
[Find out which of the seven is the traitor, and kill only them.]
“Do you have any guesses as to who the traitor might be, sir?”
Kim Do-jin gave a small nod. Still, there had to be someone among them who was slightly more likely. Since they were his beloved disciples, he wouldn’t reveal his suspicions so easily. I’d have to ask him when the time came.
All I knew about Kim Do-jin’s disciples was just hearsay; the only one I knew personally was Cha Woo-jae.
“It’s shocking that there might be a traitor among them, but let’s do it.”
[It won’t be easy.]
“That’s life, isn’t it?”
[You sound like an old man.]
“Do you know how many times I’ve gone through regressions? In terms of age, I’m easily over a hundred.”
I tried to lighten the mood as I accepted Kim Do-jin’s proposal. Part of the reason I accepted was out of guilt.
At some point, I’d given up on saving Kim Do-jin. I started only worrying about how much wealth I could leave behind for Min-Ah after I died.
I may have given up on him, but Kim Do-jin never gave up on me. This clock was proof of that.
Now I understood why so many people followed this unassuming man. He was someone who valued loyalty and honor.
“So, what do I need to do to become your disciple? Shall I bow down, Master?”
[First, drop the “Master” title.]
“But you’re still the head of Cheong-Yeong Guild, aren’t you?”
Though Kim Do-jin was missing, the guild still recognized him as its head. Whether it was a smokescreen or not, I couldn’t say.
In his absence, the guild was being managed by his second-in-command, the Heavenly Sword Saint. Kim Do-jin chuckled.
[Since when do disciples call their master ‘boss’?]
“…”
[Alright then, start with a bow.]
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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